An Evil Eye

144

Yashim reached the garden door of the harem and crashed on it with his fist.

A startled eunuch stood in the open doorway.

“Yashim!” he squeaked. “But how-?”

Yashim brushed past him and began to run down the Golden Road. He darted out into the court of the valide, and swerved to his right.

He heard a noise like a champagne cork being popped.

He dived at the valide’s door and flung it back.

In three steps he crossed the vestibule and entered the valide’s apartment.

Tulin was standing by the divan with a pillow clenched against her chest.

On the divan the valide was half sitting up, half lying, on her elbow.

She held a little gun in her hand, and the gun was pointed at Tulin.